Milwaukee Bucks: 5 standout games of the season so far

2. Tue. Feb. 25, Milwaukee Bucks @ Toronto Raptors

With nearly two-thirds of the season completed, Milwaukee went into Toronto on the second night of a back-to-back and won a grinder, 108-97.

This was the first game back in Toronto since the Bucks’ season ended there last year. It was a great chance for the Bucks to exercise their demons and beat the team that took what they wanted a year ago.

What’s most impressive about this victory is the way they beat them considering the circumstances. Milwaukee had just won a hard-fought overtime game in Washington the night before.

It took a true team effort to pull this one out. Guys were tired, and Toronto’s defense was tough, but they battled through.

Despite a poor night scoring the ball, Giannis was still able to contribute in other ways. He navigated the Raptors’ stout defense for 19 points and eight assists, while adding 19 rebounds to go along with his stellar defense.

With Milwaukee shooting poorly, 38.1 percent, they needed to turn up the defense for any chance at victory. They certainly did, holding Toronto to 35.2 percent from the field. Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka were held to 15 points on 4-of-27 shooting combined. The Bucks’ defense was suffocating.

This game exemplifies what the Bucks are all about, and that’s defense. Even when they can’t score the ball the way they’re used to, they can always rely on their defense to keep them in the game.

All things considered, this was one of the best games of the season for Milwaukee.